Not only was 1969 a year of fusion in rock music, but this debut album by Roberta Flack demonstrates that soul music was taking a major turn as well. This two disc Anniversary set of First Take includes the legendary first album as well as a number of outtakes and special sessions.
Ms. Flack displayed her prowess not only as a formidable composer, but a singer who was able to mix the swing of Sarah Vaughan (as on “This Could Be The Start of Something Big”), the gospel feel of Aretha Franklin (exemplified on “Tryin’ Times”) and the social conscious defiance of Nina Simone (demonstrated on Eddie Harris’ soulful “Compared To What”). The album has a wide range of colors, from strings and harp for the reverent “Our Ages Or Our Hearts” the a soft troubadour’d “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” and the intimate “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and the sanctified “Trade Winds”. The supporting casts includes all stars Ron Carter/b, Joe Newman/tp, Bucky and John Pizzarelli/g, Benny Powell/tb and Frank Wess/ts, so there is plenty of jazz bonafides. Flack sears through an intense “Afro Blue” and is steaming on “Groove Me”. This album has aged amazingly well over the last half century; how will today’s music fare?